Editorial: Unprocessed rape kits must be tested

Memphis Police Director Toney Armstrong’s revelation to City Council members Tuesday that about 12,000 rape kits in police custody have not been processed was a shocker.

So was the amount it would take to clear the backlog — $4.6 million.

The citizens of Memphis have yet to receive an explanation on why the processing of the kits stopped and who gave the order to cease the process.

That disclosure is still important, but it is also important not to let the blame game delay getting the kits tested. And, if anyone wants to squawk about the cost of doing so, we have to ask: Can a price be placed on justice for the women who were sexually assaulted?

Rape kits contain evidence gathered from the bodies of victims and each kit potentially contains clues that could solve a serious crime. Some of the untested kits date back to the 1980s.

The administration of Mayor A C Wharton had said there were 6,889 untested items, including complete rape kits and other pieces of evidence. But Armstrong said as police inventoried the department’s property room and storage facilities more kits were found.

Last month, the mayor issued an executive order that directs the Police Department to test all unprocessed rape kits as soon as possible. The order also called for a broader conversation on improving the city’s treatment of rape victims. But, there is a big difference between testing 6,889 kits and some 12,000.

The council in August approved a grant to pay for testing 2,226 rape kits and later directed another $1.5 million toward the issue, including $1 million to build a facility to house the kits.

The whole issue is a mess and has denied possible justice to sexual assault victims. We say possible because there is no guarantee that every rape kit will yield enough evidence to result in a court conviction. Also, there is a strong possibility that evidence in the older kits may have deteriorated, especially if the kits have not been properly stored.

The entire matter has been a serious injustice to rape victims. For the sake of justice and the victims’ peace of mind, these kits must be processed.